Timer apparatus and computer

ABSTRACT

A timer apparatus having a power source, a timer unit for outputting time information to which a time is set via a setting terminal, and a control unit in which a program for permitting set of a time in the timer unit only once is written from the outside via a write terminal and which controls the timer unit. After the program is written to the control unit via the write terminal, the write terminal is disconnected, and the power source, timer unit and control unit are molded integrally. A low-cost timer apparatus in which a time cannot be changed incorrectly can be realized without mounting a processor for performing a complicated process.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.09/126,225, filed Jul. 30, 1998 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,253,331, thecontents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

This application is based upon, and claims the priority of JapanesePatent Application No. 10-051062 filed Mar. 3, 1998, the contents ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a timer apparatus which is arranged sothat a power source, a timer unit for outputting time information and acontrol unit for controlling the timer unit are molded, and a time canbe changed, and relates to a computer having such the timer apparatus.

In a system utilizing a computer such as a remittance system andelectronic filing document transmission system, since an outputted timeoccasionally has important meaning, it is desired that the computer isprovided with a timer apparatus in which a time is not changedincorrectly.

As a technique for preventing an incorrect change of a time in a timerapparatus, U.S. Pat. No. 5,001,752 discloses a digital timeauthentication apparatus in which a whole apparatus is fixed integrallyby an epoxy resin and a switch is provided so as to be embedded into theepoxy resin and when the switch is turned on, the apparatus is explodedby a physical destruction activity, or a digital time authenticationapparatus which performs signature communication and encryptioncommunication in order to make it difficult to change software from aninput terminal.

However, in the digital time authentication apparatus in which theswitch is provided so as to be embedded into the epoxy resin, an inputterminal can be dug out by X-raying so that the switch is not turned on,and in the digital time authentication apparatus which performssignature communication and encryption communication, a skilled crackercan find signature and cipher key.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is devised from the view of the above situation,in first through sixth aspects, it is an object of the present inventionto provide a low-cost timer apparatus in which it is not necessary touse a physical self-explosion apparatus and to mount a processor forexecuting complicated processes, and a time is not changed incorrectly.

In the seventh and eleventh aspects, it is an object of the presentinvention to provide a low-cost timer apparatus which can prevent anincorrect change in time due to operating and exchanging a power source.

In the eighth through tenth aspects, it is an object of the presentinvention to provide a low-cost timer apparatus which can improvereliability of printed time.

In the twelfth aspect, it is an object of the present invention toprovide a computer having a low-cost timer apparatus in which a timer isnot changed incorrectly without using a physical self-explosionapparatus and without mounting a processor for executing a complicatedprocess.

The timer apparatus of the present invention basically has a powersource, a timer unit for outputting time information to which a time isset via a setting terminal, and a control unit for controlling the timerunit in which a program is written from the outside via a writeterminal, and they are molded integrally.

In the timer apparatus according to the first aspect, after a programfor permitting set of a time in the timer unit is written to the controlunit via the write terminal, the write terminal is disconnected, thepower source, timer unit and control unit are molded integrally.

In the timer apparatus of the first aspect, after a time is once set viathe setting terminal, the control unit prohibits set of a time accordingto the program, but since the write terminal for changing the programhas been disconnected, it is impossible to change the program. As aresult, a low-cost timer apparatus in which a time is not changedincorrectly can be realized without using a physical self-explosionapparatus and without mounting a processor for performing a complicatedprocessor.

The timer apparatus according to the second aspect is arranged so thatthe control unit includes a portion formed as a temperature fuse of thewrite terminal and heating means in the vicinity of the temperaturefuse, and after the program for permitting set of a time in the timerunit only once is written to the control unit via the write terminal,the temperature fuse is fused by the heating means, and the powersource, timer unit and control unit are molded integrally.

In the timer apparatus of the second aspect, after a time is once setvia the setting terminal, the control unit prohibits set of a timeaccording to the program, but since the write terminal for changing theprogram has been fused, it is impossible to change the program. As aresult, a low-cost timer apparatus in which a time is not changeincorrectly can be realized without using a physical self-explosionapparatus and without mounting a processor for performing a complicatedprocess.

The timer apparatus according to the third aspect is arranged so thatafter a program for permitting set of a time in the timer unit only onceis written to the control unit via a write terminal, the write terminalis disconnected and after a time is set via a setting terminal, thesetting terminal is disconnected, and a power source, timer unit andcontrol unit are molded integrally.

In the timer apparatus of the third aspect, after the program is writtenfrom the outside to the control unit via the write terminal, the writeterminal is disconnected. Then, after a time is set via the settingterminal, the setting terminal is disconnected, and the power source,timer unit and control unit are molded integrally. In this state, sincethe setting terminal for changing a time has been disconnected, the timecannot be changed. As a result, a low-cost timer apparatus in which atime is not changed incorrectly can be realized without using a physicalself-explosion apparatus and without mounting a processor for performinga complicated process.

The timer apparatus according to the fourth aspect has a portion formedas a temperature fuse of the write terminal inside the control unit,first heating means in the vicinity of the temperature fuse, a portionformed as a temperature fuse of the setting terminal inside the timerunit and second heating means in the vicinity of the temperature fuse.After a program for permitting set of a time in the timer unit only onceis written to the control unit via the write terminal, the temperaturefuse of the write terminal is fused by the first heating means, andafter a time is set via the setting terminal, the temperature fuse ofthe setting terminal is fused, and the power source, timer unit andcontrol unit are molded integrally.

In the timer apparatus of the fourth aspect, after the program iswritten from the outside to the control unit via the write terminal, theportion formed as the temperature fuse of the write terminal is fused bythe first heating means. Moreover, after a time is set via the settingterminal, the portion formed as the temperature fuse of the settingterminal is fused. Thereafter, the power source, timer unit and controlunit are molded integrally. In this state, the program cannot be changedand a time cannot be changed. As a result, a low-cost timer apparatus inwhich a time is not changed incorrectly can be realized without using aphysical self-explosion apparatus and without mounting a processor forperforming a complicated process.

The timer apparatus according to the fifth aspect has a portion formedas a temperature fuse of the write terminal inside the control unit andheating means in the vicinity of the temperature fuse, and a powersource, timer unit and control unit are molded integrally. A program forpermitting set of a time in the timer unit only once is written to thecontrol unit via the write terminal.

In the timer apparatus of the fifth aspect, when after the program,which includes means for prohibiting set of a time and to which a timeis once set via the setting terminal, is written from the outside to thecontrol unit via the write terminal, the temperature fuse is fused bythe heating means, the write terminal for changing the program is fused,so the program cannot be changed. As a result, a low-cost timerapparatus in which a time is not changed incorrectly can be realizedwithout using a physical self-explosion apparatus and without mounting aprocessor for performing a complicated process.

The timer apparatus according to the sixth aspect has a portion formedas a temperature fuse of a write terminal inside the control unit andfirst heating means in the vicinity of the temperature fuse and has aportion formed as a temperature fuse of a setting terminal inside thetimer unit and second heating means in the vicinity of the temperaturefuse, and a power source, timer unit and control unit are moldedintegrally.

In the timer apparatus of the sixth aspect, after a program is writtenfrom the outside to the control unit via the write terminal, the portionformed as the temperature fuse of the write terminal is fused by thefirst heating means, and after a time is set via the setting terminal,the portion formed as the temperature fuse of the setting terminal isfused. As a result, the program cannot be changed. Moreover, since thesetting terminal for changing a time is fused in its inner portion, thetime cannot be changed. As a result, a low-cost timer apparatus in whicha time is not changed incorrectly can be realized without using aphysical self-explosion apparatus and without mounting a processor forperforming a complicated process.

The timer apparatus according to the seventh aspect is provided to thefirst through sixth aspects with predicting means for predicting aprediction term of validity based on the power source at the time ofstarting or setting a time, calculating means for calculating a residualterm of the prediction term of validity predicted by the predictingmeans, and means for outputting the residual term calculated by thecalculating means.

In the timer apparatus of the seventh aspect, since the residual term ofvalidity of the power source is detected easily, in the case the powersource and the main body of the timer apparatus are molded integrally,the timer apparatus can be exchanged for a new one securely. Therefore,incorrect change in a time due to operating and exchanging of the powersource can be prevented.

The timer apparatus according to the eighth aspect further has judgingmeans for judging as to whether or not a password inputted from theoutside is correct, and in the case where the judging means judges thatthe password is correct, the time information is outputted from thetimer unit.

In the timer apparatus of the eighth aspect, only in the case where thepassword inputted from the outside is correct, the time information isoutputted. Therefore, the time information includes ID of the timerapparatus so as to be outputted, and the time as well as the ID areprinted. As a result, reliability of the printed time can be improved.

The timer apparatus according to the ninth aspect further has means forgenerating a password according to an instruction from the outside,means for outputting the generated password, and judging means for whena password is inputted from the outside, judging as to whether or notthe inputted password coincides with the formerly outputted password.When both the passwords coincide with each other, the time informationis outputted from the timer unit.

In the timer apparatus of the ninth aspect, in the case where thepassword, which is generated and outputted by the timer apparatus,coincides with a password inputted from the outside, the timeinformation is outputted from the timer unit. As a result, since it isnot necessary to fix a password, a password is not copied. Therefore,the time information in which ID of the timer apparatus is included isoutputted, and the time as well as the ID are printed. As a result,reliability of the printed time can be improved.

The timer apparatus according to the tenth aspect further has encryptingmeans for encrypting the time information outputted from the timer unitso as to output it.

In the timer apparatus of the tenth aspect, since the time informationoutputted from the timer unit is encrypted to be outputted, the timerinformation includes ID of the timer apparatus to be outputted, and thetime as well as the ID are printed. As a result, reliability of theprinted time is improved.

The timer apparatus according to the eleventh aspect further has voltagedetecting means for detecting a voltage of the power source, comparingmeans for comparing a value of the voltage detected by the voltagedetecting means with a predetermined value, and means for when the valueof the voltage is smaller than the predetermined value as a result ofthe comparison, warning that the term of validity is short.

In the timer apparatus of the seventh aspect, since the residual term ofvalidity of the power source is detected easily, in the case where thepower source and the main body of the timer apparatus are moldedintegrally, the timer apparatus can be exchanged for a new one securely.For this reason, incorrect change in a time due to operating andexchanging of the power source can be prevented.

In the timer apparatus of the eleventh aspect, in the case where thevalue of the voltage of the power source is smaller than thepredetermined value, a warning is given the term of validity of thepower source is short. For this reason, in the case where the powersource and the main body of the timer apparatus are molded integrally,the timer apparatus can be exchanged for a new one securely. Therefore,incorrect change in a time due to operating and exchanging of the powersource can be prevented.

The computer of the present invention has one of the timer apparatusesaccording to the respective aspects.

In the computer, an outputted time cannot be changed incorrectly.

The above and further objects and features of the invention will morefully be apparent from the following detailed description withaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an arrangement of an essential portionof a timer apparatus according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2A through FIG. 2E are drawings explaining manufacturing process ofthe timer apparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B are drawings explaining another manufacturingprocess of the timer apparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing an operation of the timer apparatus ofthe present invention;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing an operation of the timer apparatus ofthe present invention;

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing an operation of the timer apparatus ofthe present invention;

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing an operation of the timer apparatus ofthe present invention;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an arrangement of an essential portionof a computer according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing an operation of the computer according tothe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following describes embodiments of the present invention onreference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing thearrangement of an essential portion of the timer apparatus according tothe present invention.

In this timer apparatus, a portion arranged as a timer IC 15, mentionedlater, is connected with a battery (power source) 19 and an encrypter26. Here, the battery 19 is connected with the timer IC 15 by a powersource terminal 10.

The timer IC 15 includes a CPU 22, a crystal oscillator 23, an I/O port24 and a memory unit 25. The CPU 22 includes a clocking unit 22 c, acontrol unit 22 b and a flag register 22 a.

The crystal oscillator 23 generates a pulse signal to be clockingreference and supplies it to the clocking unit 22 c. The clocking unit22 c divides the pulse signal supplied from the crystal oscillator 23and generates time information so as to output it. The crystaloscillator 23 and clocking unit 22 c compose the clocking unit 22 c. Thecontrol unit 22 b controls a timer unit 22 d.

The encrypter 26 is connected with the clocking unit 22 c by a timereading-out terminal 14, and encrypts the time information directlysupplied from the clocking unit 22 c so as to output it.

The I/O port 24 and memory unit 25 are connected with the CPU 22 by abus 27. The memory unit 25 includes a non-volatile memory (for example,flash ROM) for storing a program of the CPU 22, and has a flash ROMwrite terminal 13 for writing the program. The I/O port 24 is used forcommunication with the CPU 22, in other words, the outside of the timerIC 15.

FIG. 2A through FIG. 2D are explanatory drawings for explaining themanufacturing process of the timer apparatus having such an arrangement.As shown in FIG. 2A, in the manufacturing process, the crystaloscillator 23, CPU 22, I/O port 24 and memory unit 25 are formed in onetimer IC 15. The power source terminal 10, a time setting terminal 11,the time reading-out terminal 14 and the flash ROM write terminal 13 areexposed around the timer IC 15.

Next, as shown in FIG. 2B, the timer IC 15 is set in a ROM writer 16having a socket for the flash ROM of the memory unit 25, and a programfor the CPU 22 is written in the flash ROM from the flash ROM writeterminal 13. At this time, since the battery 19 is not connected yet, apower source as well as various signals are supplied from the ROM writer16 via a cable 16 c. The program to be written in the flash ROM includesa process such that “when a clocking operation is started from a settime via the time setting terminal and once the time is set, resettingthereafter is not acceptable”.

Next, as shown in FIG. 2C, the flash ROM write terminal 13 isdisconnected.

As shown in FIG. 2D, a timer IC 15 a, which is disconnected with theflash ROM write terminal 13 from the timer IC 15, is connected with thebattery 19, encrypter 26, etc. by soldering with the power sourceterminal 10, time setting terminal 11, time reading-out terminal 14, anda timer module terminal 18 are mounted onto a timer module 17.Thereafter, the whole is molded integrally by epoxy resin. In thisstate, a time is set in the clocking unit 22 c from the timer moduleterminal 18 via the time setting terminal 11, and the product is shippedfrom the factory (first aspect).

Here, as the third aspect, the following method may be used. The timerIC 15 a, which is disconnected from the flash ROM write terminal 13,battery 19, encrypter 26, etc. are mounted onto the timer module 17 bysoldering, a time is set from the time setting terminal 11. Thereafter,as shown in FIG. 2E, a timer IC 15 b is made from the timer IC 15 bydisconnecting the time setting terminal 11, and the whole is moldedintegrally by the epoxy resin.

In addition, instead of disconnecting the flash ROM write terminal 13,as shown in FIG. 3A, the following arrangement can be adopted. A portion13 a formed as a temperature fuse is provided to the flash ROM writeterminal 13 in the timer IC 15, and a heater circuit 20 is provided tothe vicinity of the portion 13 a. In such an arrangement, after theprogram for the CPU 22 is written from the flash ROM write terminal 13into the flash ROM, an electric current is applied from a heater circuitterminal 21, and the portion 13 a formed as the temperature fuse isfused by a heat generated by the electric current (second aspect).

In addition, the product is shipped from the factory with the portion 13a formed as the temperature fuse not being fused, and the portion 13 aformed as the temperature fuse can be fused as the need arises (fifthaspect).

Furthermore, as the fourth aspect, as shown in FIG. 3B, a portion 11 aformed as a temperature fuse is provided to the time setting terminal 11in the timer IC 15, and a heater circuit 20 a having a terminal 21 a isprovided to its vicinity. After the flash ROM write terminal 13 isfused, the timer IC 15 a, battery 19, encrypter 26, etc. are mountedonto the timer module 17 by soldering. In this state, a time is set fromthe time setting terminal 11, an electric current is applied from theheater circuit terminal 21 a, and after the portion 11 a formed as thetemperature fuse of the time setting terminal 11 is fused by a heatgenerated by the electric current, the whole is molded integrally by theepoxy resin.

Moreover, the product is shipped from the factory with the flash ROMwrite terminal 13 and the portion 11 a formed as the temperature fuse ofthe time setting terminal 11 not being fused, and the portion 11 aformed as the temperature fuse is fused as the need arises (sixthaspect).

In these cases, the portions 11 a and 13 a formed as the temperaturefuse may be provided to a wiring in a silicon chip or a lead wire in apackage to which the chip is mounted. In the case where they areprovided to the former, since disconnection is made on a more minuteportion, incorrect activities using a probe or the like becomedifficult, but it has a disadvantage such that a cost of chip rises. Inthe case where they are provided to the lead wire, the apparatus can bemanufactured at a lower cost, but it has disadvantages such that a lotof power is required for fusing the lead wire and incorrect activitiesusing a probe or the like become comparatively easy.

The following describes an operation of the timer apparatus manufacturedin such a manner on reference to the flow charts in FIG. 4 through FIG.7.

First, the operation relating to prediction for the term of validity onreference to the flow chart in FIG. 4.

When the battery 19 is mounted and a time is set and started (S10), theCPU 22 sets a predicted term of validity Ty of the timer apparatuspredicted from the capacity of the battery 19 so as to output thepredicted term of validity Ty via the I/O port 24 (S12).

Next, every time a predetermined time period Ts passes (S14), the CPU 22calculates a residual predicted term of validity Ty (=Ty-Ts) (S16), andoutputs the calculated residual predicted term of validity Ty via theI/O port 24 (S18) (seventh aspect).

The following describes an operation at the time of setting a time onreference to the flow chart in FIG. 5.

When the battery 19 is mounted and a time is set to be started (S22),the CPU 22 turns off a flag of the flag register 22 a (prohibitingmeans) included in the CPU 22 (S24). In this state, when a time isinputted and set from the time setting terminal 11 (S26), the CPU 22judges as to whether or not the flag of the flag register 22 a is ON(S28). When the judgment is made that the flag is OFF, the CPU 22 sets atime (S30), and turns the flag ON (S32). When the judgment is made thatthe flag is ON (S28), the CPU 22 does not set the time nor switch theflag into ON/OFF (first and second aspects).

The following describes an operation of outputting the time informationon reference to the flow chart in FIG. 6.

When password is inputted via the I/O port 24 (S34), the CPU 22 checksthe inputted password (S36). When the checked password is correct (S38),the CPU 22 encrypts the time information by the encrypter 26 (S40), andoutputs the encrypted time information (S42) and returns. When thechecked password is incorrect (S38), the CPU 22 returns intact (eighthand tenth aspects).

In this case, prior to input of the password (S34), the CPU 22 maygenerate a password according to an external instruction and output thegenerated password, and may check the password inputted from the outside(S34) according to the output of the password (S36) (ninth aspect).

The following describes an operation for monitoring a voltage of thebattery 19 on reference to the flow chart in FIG. 7.

The CPU 22 detects a voltage of the battery 19 with a predeterminedperiod (S44), and compares the detected voltage value with apredetermined value (S46). As a result, when the detected voltage valueis smaller than the predetermined value, the CPU 22 outputs a signal forwarning that the battery 19 is almost dead (S48). When the detectedvoltage value is larger than the predetermined value, the CPU 22 returnsintact (first aspect).

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of an essentialportion of a computer according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. The computer has a CPU 34, I/O port 31 and memory 30connected with the CPU 34 via a bus 33, a display unit 32 connected withthe I/O port 31, the timer apparatus 29 of the present invention, and adecrypter 28 for decrypting encrypted time information obtained by thetimer apparatus 29 so as to supply it to the CPU 34.

The following describes an operation of the computer having the such anarrangement on reference to the flow chart in FIG. 9.

When displaying a time or outputting time information onto the displayunit 32, the CPU 34 directly outputs a predetermined password to thetimer apparatus 29 (S50). The timer apparatus 29 checks the inputtedpassword (S36 in FIG. 6), and in the case where a judgment is made thatthe password is correct (S38 in FIG. 6), when the time information isencrypted to be outputted (S42 in FIG. 6) (S52), the encrypted timeinformation is decrypted by the decrypter 28 (S54), and the decryptedtime information is displayed on the display unit 32. Moreover, the timeinformation is printed by a printer (not shown) as the need arises. Whenthe encrypted time information is not inputted from the timer apparatus29 (S52), the CPU 34 returns intact.

In such the computer, since it is difficult to incorrectly change a timeto be outputted, in the case where a remittance system, electronicfiling document transmitting system, etc. are constructed, theirsecurity is improved greatly.

As mentioned above, according to the timer apparatus of the firstthrough sixth aspects, a low-cost timer apparatus in which a time is notchanged illegally can be realized without using a physicalself-explosion apparatus and without mounting a processor for performinga complicated process.

According to the timer apparatus of the seventh aspect, since the timerapparatus can be exchanged for a new one until the term of validity isexpired, the power source can be mold integrally with the main body ofthe timer apparatus, and thus incorrect change of a time due to anoperation and exchange of the power source can be prevented.

According to the timer apparatus of the eighth and tenth aspects, whenthe time information which includes ID of the timer apparatus isoutputted and a time as well as the ID are printed, reliability of theprinted time can be improved.

According to the timer apparatus of the ninth aspect, since a passwordis not fixed and it is difficult to copy the password, when the timeinformation, which is outputted when the password is accepted, includesthe ID of the timer apparatus to be outputted and a time as well as theID are printed, reliability of the printed time can be improved.

According to the timer apparatus of the eleventh aspect, since beforethe power source (battery) is dead, the timer apparatus can be exchangedfor a new one, the power source can be molded integrally with the mainbody of the timer apparatus, and thus incorrect change of time due tooperation and exchange of the power source can be prevented.

According to the computer of the twelfth aspect, a time outputted by thecomputer cannot be changed incorrectly.

As this invention may be embodied in several forms without departingfrom the spirit of essential characteristics thereof, the presentembodiments are therefore illustrative and not restrictive, since thescope of the invention is defined by the appended claims rather than bythe description preceding them, and all changes that fall within metesand bounds of the claims, or equivalence of such metes and boundsthereof are therefore intended to be embraced by the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A timer apparatus, comprising: a power source; atime setting terminal; a timer unit, that outputs a time informationbased on a time set by the time setting terminal; a control unit thatcontrols the timer unit based on a program and permits the timer unit tobe set only once; and a write terminal that writes the program to thecontrol unit, wherein the time setting terminal, the timer unit, thecontrol unit and the write terminal are integrally packed in a package,and after the program is written to the control unit via the writeterminal, the write terminal is disconnected, and the power source andpackage are molded integrally.
 2. The timer apparatus as set forth inclaim 1, wherein the control unit comprises: a predictor that predicts aterm of validity based on a state of the power source at a time when thepower source is connected to the timer apparatus or a time is set in thetimer unit; a calculator that calculates a residual term based on theterm of validity predicted by the predicting means at an arbitrary timethereafter; and an output circuit that outputs the residual termcalculated by the calculator.
 3. The timer apparatus as set forth inclaim 1, further comprising: an authenticator that, when a password isinput, judges whether the password is the same as an initial password,and when the authenticator judges that both the passwords are the same,the timer unit outputs the time information.
 4. The timer apparatus asset forth in claim 1, further comprising: a password generator thatgenerates an interior password; and a discriminator that, when an inputpassword is input, judges whether the input password is the same as theinterior password, and when the discriminator judges that both thepasswords are the same, the timer unit outputs the time information. 5.The timer apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further comprising anencryptor that encrypts time information output by the timer unit andoutputs the encrypted time information.
 6. The timer apparatus as setforth in claim 1, wherein the control unit includes: a voltage detectorthat detects a voltage of the power source; a comparator that comparesthe voltage with a predetermined value; and an alertor that, when thevoltage is less than the predetermined value, generates a warningsignal.
 7. The timer apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein thewrite terminal is disconnected by at least one of being cut and removed,being melted, and being severed from the package.
 8. A timer apparatus,comprising: a power source; a time setting terminal; a timer unit, thatoutputs a time information based on a time set by the time settingterminal; a control unit that controls the timer unit based on aprogram; and a write terminal that writes the program to the controlunit, wherein the setting terminal, the timer unit, the control unit,the write terminal and the circuit are integrally packed in a package,and after the program is written to the control unit via the writeterminal, the write terminal is disconnected, and the power source andpackage are molded integrally.
 9. The timer apparatus as set forth inclaim 8, wherein the control unit comprises: a predictor that predicts aterm of validity based on a state of the power source at a time when thepower source is connected to the timer apparatus or a time is set in thetimer unit; a calculator that calculates a residual term based on theterm of validity predicted by the predicting means at an arbitrary timethereafter; and an output circuit that outputs the residual termcalculated by the calculator.
 10. The timer apparatus as set forth inclaim 8, further comprising: an authenticator that, when a password isinput, judges whether the password is the same as an initial password,and when the authenticator judges that both the passwords are the same,the timer unit outputs the time information.
 11. The timer apparatus asset forth in claim 8, further comprising: a password generator thatgenerates an interior password; and a discriminator that, when an inputpassword is input, judges whether the input password is the same as theinterior password, and when the discriminator judges that both thepasswords are the same, the timer unit outputs the time information. 12.The timer apparatus as set forth in claim 8, further comprising anencryptor that encrypts time information output by the timer unit andoutputs the encrypted time information.
 13. The timer apparatus as setforth in claim 8, wherein the control unit includes: a voltage detectorthat detects a voltage of the power source; a comparator that comparesthe voltage with a predetermined value; and an alertor that, when thevoltage is less than the predetermined value, generates a warningsignal.
 14. The timer apparatus as set forth in claim 8, wherein thewrite terminal is disconnected by at least one of being cut and removed,being melted, and being severed from the package.
 15. A computer havinga timer apparatus, the computer comprising: a power source; a timesetting terminal; a timer unit, that outputs a time information based ona time set by the time setting terminal; a control unit that controlsthe timer unit based on a program and permits the timer unit to be setonly once; and a write terminal that writes the program to the controlunit, wherein the time setting terminal, the timer unit, the controlunit and the write terminal are integrally packed in a package, andafter the program is written to the control unit via the write terminal,the write terminal is disconnected, and the power source and package aremolded integrally.
 16. The computer as set forth in claim 15, whereinthe control unit comprises: a predictor that predicts a term of validitybased on a state of the power source at a time when the power source isconnected to the timer apparatus or a time is set in the timer unit; acalculator that calculates a residual term based on the term of validitypredicted by the predicting means at an arbitrary time thereafter; andan output circuit that outputs the residual term calculated by thecalculator.
 17. The computer as set forth in claim 15, furthercomprising: an authenticator that, when a password is input, judgeswhether the password is the same as an initial password, and when theauthenticator judges that both the passwords are the same, the timerunit outputs the time information.
 18. The computer as set forth inclaim 15, further comprising: a password generator that generates aninterior password; and a discriminator that, when an input password isinput, judges whether the input password is the same as the interiorpassword, and when the discriminator judges that both the passwords arethe same, the timer unit outputs the time information.
 19. The computeras set forth in claim 15, further comprising an encryptor that encryptstime information output by the timer unit and outputs the encrypted timeinformation.
 20. The computer as set forth in claim 15, wherein thecontrol unit includes: a voltage detector that detects a voltage of thepower source; a comparator that compares the voltage with apredetermined value; and an alertor that, when the voltage is less thanthe predetermined value, generates a warning signal.
 21. The computer asset forth in claim 15, wherein the write terminal is disconnected by atleast one of being cut and removed, being melted, and being severed fromthe package.
 22. A computer having a timer apparatus, the timerapparatus comprising: a power source; a time setting terminal; a timerunit, that outputs a time information based on a time set by the timesetting terminal; a control unit that controls the timer unit based on aprogram; and a write terminal that writes the program to the controlunit, wherein the setting terminal, the timer unit, the control unit,the write terminal and the circuit are integrally packed in a package,and after the program is written to the control unit via the writeterminal, the write terminal is disconnected, and the power source andpackage are molded integrally.
 23. The computer as set forth in claim22, where in the computer comprises: a predictor that predicts a term ofvalidity based on a state of the power source at a time when the powersource is connected to the timer apparatus or a time is set in the timerunit; a calculator that calculates a residual term based on the term ofvalidity predicted by the predicting means at an arbitrary timethereafter; and an output circuit that outputs the residual termcalculated by the calculator.
 24. The computer as set forth in claim 22,further comprising: an authenticator that, when a password is input,judges whether the password is the same as an initial password, and whenthe authenticator judges that both the passwords are the same, the timerunit outputs the time information.
 25. The computer as set forth inclaim 22, further comprising: a password generator that generates aninterior password; and a discriminator that, when an input password isinput, judges whether the input password is the same as the interiorpassword, and when the discriminator judges that both the passwords arethe same, the timer unit outputs the time information.
 26. The computeras set forth in claim 22, further comprising an encryptor that encryptstime information output by the timer unit and outputs the encrypted timeinformation.
 27. The computer as set forth in claim 22, wherein thecontrol unit includes: a voltage detector that detects a voltage of thepower source; a comparator that compares the voltage with apredetermined value; and an alertor that, when the voltage is less thanthe predetermined value, generates a warning signal.
 28. The computer asset forth in claim 22, wherein the write terminal is disconnected by atleast one of being cut and removed, being melted, and being severed fromthe package.
 29. A method of manufacturing a timer apparatus,comprising: writing a time information into a timer unit, where thetimer unit, a control unit and a write terminal are integrally packed ina package; disconnecting the write terminal; and integrally molding apower source and the package.
 30. The method of manufacturing a timerapparatus as set forth in claim 29, wherein the control unit comprises:predicting a term of validity based on a state of the power source at atime when the power source is connected to the timer apparatus or a timeis written into the timer unit; calculating a residual term based on theterm of validity predicted at an arbitrary time thereafter; andoutputting the residual term calculated by the calculator.
 31. Themethod of manufacturing a timer apparatus as set forth in claim 29,further comprising: when a password is input, judging whether thepassword is the same as an initial password, and when both the passwordsare the judged to be the same, allowing the writing of the timeinformation.
 32. The method of manufacturing a timer apparatus as setforth in claim 29, further comprising: generating an interior password;and when an input password is input, judging whether the input passwordis the same as the interior password, and when the passwords are judgedto be the same, allowing the writing of the time information.
 33. Themethod of manufacturing a timer apparatus as set forth in claim 29,further comprising: detecting a voltage of the power source; comparingthe voltage with a predetermined value; and generating a warning signal,when the voltage is less than the predetermined value.
 34. The method ofmanufacturing a timer apparatus as set forth in claim 29, wherein thewrite terminal is disconnected by at least one of being cut and removed,being melted, and being severed from the package.